Impact of mining on water of the rivers Shinkolobwe, Lwisha and Kansonga in the province of Katanga (DRC)

Background: These last decades were marked by the refuse tips, which caused many problems to the environment. Heavy metals resulting from these discharges are for the very dangerous majority when those manage to contaminate water. The contamination of water by heavy metals became an alarming matter, because not only it limits the use of water by the domestic uses but also for the damage, which it causes at the watery organizations. Objective: This study aims at determining the impact of mining around the Shinkolobwe rivers, Lwisha and Kansonga of the province of Katanga. Methods: Samples of water of the rivers Shinkolobwe, Lwisha and Kansonga taken during the period from October to December 2010; were used as equipment for the proportioning of heavy metals (52Cr-H2, 54 Fe, 59 Co, 60 Ni-H2, 65 Cu-H2, 75As, 114 Cd, 208Pb and 238U). The spectrophotometric method of atomic emission was used for the determination of various contents of heavy metals. Results: The results reveal concentrations out of lead and cadmium higher than the acceptable limits; and compared to other heavy metals, the concentrations either are within the normal limit, or lower than the normal. Conclusion: The province of Katanga presents a high potential of pollution and disturbances of esthetics (mining residues left randomly without treatment), requiring a landscape rehabilitation as exploitations. This could be correlated with the consequences of mining near these various rivers.